4 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Entryway

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When living on your own, there are plenty of things to consider when it comes to furnishing and decorating your new home. There are some rooms and areas that fill you with all sorts of fresh ideas and can get decorated in a day, while others may leave you stumped for ideas and perhaps questioning what the purpose of the area even is! Entryways in a home are an interesting area that are a piece of cake to decorate for some, while for the most of us just leave us wondering if we can just leave it as it is. You may not think an entryway is important or a connected area to the rest of your home, but I promise you it is!

Think of it like this: you walk into someone’s home and are greeted by nothing other than well… nothing. You think to yourself, “hmmm I wonder what the rest of this place looks like. there isn’t much of anything here!” Your entryway is the first thing both you and other people, like friends and family, will see upon entering your home, therefore it’s the first impression of the space you have. First impressions, whether we like them or not, mean everything to other people when judging the kind of home you have — you don’t want others, especially people close to you, to have a bad impression of your first adult space, do you?

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Though it may seem challenging, decorating and making the most out of your entryway is perhaps one of the easiest areas to tackle in your home. It’s small and not much time is spent there, so you have free range to make it personal and welcoming without any kind of hassle. Are you living on your own? Is your entryway bland and unwelcoming? Looking for some ways to liven up your space and make a good first impression? Check out these 4 easy tips on how to make the most out of your entryway- and trust me, you’re going to wish you had done this forever ago!

Before we dive into these simple tips, it’s important to know what exactly an entryway is. Kate Simmons of Decoist helps differentiate entryways from foyers, writing, “The term ‘foyer’ is often used interchangeably with ‘entry’ or ‘entryway’. Some entries are tiny, consisting of little more than a simple console table next to the front door. Others are quite big, spanning two levels and including a view of the staircase.” Entryways are the transition space to the rest of your home and are typically small, with some sort of hallway or and small coat closet perhaps. In some home, entryways may feel more roomy, which in that case you’ll typically hear them referred to as “foyers” instead.

No matter the size of your space, here are some tips on how to create a warm, welcoming entryway.

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1. Create a Makeshift Mudroom: A mudroom is typically a place where people dump their shoes and jackets, as a means to not track unwanted outside messes inside. However, in some spaces, there isn’t an extra room to do this. Instead, reserve an area right by your door for shoes, such as a large tray and hang a hook piece on the wall to hang coats. This not only gives your entryway purpose, but it also makes it functional!

2. Add a Patterned, Dark Rug: For the majority of us, entryways are high traffic areas, meaning that it’s an area that gets a lot of movement and walking in it, which can either make your floors dirty or even damage them. To avoid this, purchase a patterned, dark rug and place it in your entryway. Not only will the rug make it look like you’re putting effort into the interior design of your home, but it will also protect your floor!

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3. Add Accent Pieces: Sometimes you don’t need a lot to make a space pop, and in the case of an entryway, you technically don’t have the space to. Highlight the area by putting a piece of artwork up, adding a small vintage table or filing cabinet and some cozy lighting to give your place that feeling of home. Adding candles is a bonus!

4. Have Fun Accessorizing: Some of us like to play it safe and go with colors, furniture and pieces that aren’t too bold. An entryway is your chance to break out of your comfort zone and do something fun! Since it’s not a large space, anything you do won’t be too overwhelming. Bold, printed wallpaper, mirrors, chalkboard paint (for friends to draw and leave their mark), and pictures of family/friends can all make your space look like you put thought into it and made it personal!

Making the most out of a space most neglect isn’t easy. While it is so small and simple, there’s so much to consider and to think about when it comes to decorating. However, if you follow these simple, easy tips, I guarantee that you will knock everyone’s socks off with your revitalized entryway! As always, good luck!

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